Minsk

IV

Hartmann had went through the garrison. They had all been tired from the Russians in the one house. He was looking for his brother Metz. This war had hit Metz the hardest. Both of them had been drafted. Gunthar had coped by writing a journal on his experience in the war. Perhaps he may consider getting it published as an autobiography.

Gunthar had eventually found Metz covering his face with his hands. "Metz," said Gunthar. "What's wrong?"

"I can't do this Gunthar," said Metz. "The innocents we kill. I keep hearing their voices at night. And they're dying for what?"

"I couldn't agree with you more Metz," said Gunthar. "But we were called to arms because our country needs us, not to decide what's right and what's wrong."

"But it's not going to get us anywhere," said Metz. "We're all just going to die for nothing." Gunthar had sighed at this. He had then came up with an idea.

"Remember when we were kids and got into hot water with that new bully?" Gunthar asked. "I protected you. You've had my back to make up for it since." This would make Metz smile remembering that. Happier times for the both of them. However, this would only last a few seconds.

"But I guess there's no point now," said Metz feeling quite down. "You're not always going to be around." Metz had known one way or another, one of them was going to die in this war.

"It doesn't matter if I'm not around," said Gunthar trying to cheer up his younger brother. "I'm always gonna look after you. That's what older siblings are supposed to do. Now buck up." This had actually cheered him up a bit. Both Gunthar and his brother had been drafted into the German Heer. Metz wasn't okay with the killing or what Hitler supported. His brother was the only person he cared about in the entire war. He didn't care for any of the other soldiers or if they died. He believed they've brought this amongst themselves.

At the house Sokolov had taken Egorov for a talk. "She's got to go Egorov," said Sokolov. "I gave you the order to look after her. But now she's getting in the way of your priorities. Either she goes or you go. Is that clear?"

"Yes sir," said Egorov. Egorov had gone into Olga's room telling her to pack her stuff. "Out," said Egorov.

"I'm not leaving. I'm old enough to fight."

"This isn't about age. You're not supposed to be here. You're a liability and were supposed to be out dead in the snow."

"Fuck you. I think I'd rather be with the Germans than spend any more time with you people. All you soldiers are really just inbred assholes who pretend to save people. No wonder you let them half of Russia."

"Listen here!" Egorov snapped. His veins had shown on his head. "I have direct orders from Captain Dimitry Sokolov to get rid of you! That may not mean shit to you but it does to me if I'm gonna make it through this war. And you're getting in the way of that you insufferable..." Before he had finished his sentence an ear-piercing explosion could be heard as the roof had collapsed on Egorov and Olga. German mortars had fired onto the house quite accurately. The mortar shells had soared through the air. Their whistles could be heard followed by the ear-piercing explosions they had left. Hold had been made as parts of the roof had collapsed on the Russians. Chunks of the house had fallen to the ground like landslides or avalanches.

The bombs had soon came to a stop. Lifeless partisans had been crushed and buried in wood and dust. Only seven Russian forces had remained. Egorov had coughed as his ears rang. His ears were ringing so much he couldn't hear anything. Slowly getting up he had checked on Olga to see if she was ok. He had moved the rubble and had seen her unconscious. Her cheek had been cut and bled as most of her face had been covered in dust. "Olga," said Egorov as he began to regain his hearing. "Olga wake up." As her two blue eyes had opened she had cried on Egorov's shoulder. Egorov had held her doing his best to comfort her. He didn't mean what he said, he was trying to survive just like she was.

"I'm sorry," he said to her. It were the only words he could think of. He had brushed her blonde, wavy hair in an attempt to calm her from this current state. He held her close to him as he looked up.

"Minoslav," she had said to Egorov.

"Yes Olga?"

"I'm scared."

"I'm scared too," said Egorov softly. "I should be heading off to college, you should be in highschool. We don't belong here with uniforms and guns. Nothing good comes out of war."

"Well..." said Olga looking at Egorov. "I can think of one thing. Meeting you."

"Me too Olga," Egorov said giving a light smile. "Me too." It was at this moment something happened between the two. Olga had kissed Egorov. Egorov didn't know what to do but feeling similar emotions he had did the same and went with it. And so began the birth of a relationship that who know is capable of surviving the horrors the frozen front had to offer. 

Hours had passed as the two had laid in bed together. Egorov had woken up to see Olga sleeping peacefully beside him. She may have had bad experience in this situation before but she felt she had finally found true love. And so did Egorov. Egorov had sat up on the side of the bed as he quietly put on his blue and white striped shirt and got dressed. Olga had woken up seeing him getting dressed as she covered herself using the covers of the bed.

"Is there something wrong?" Olga asked Egorov. He had noticed she woke up but didn't act so surprised.

"I was always told to be willing to die for my country no matter the costs," he said softly. "I was willing because I had nothing to lose. Now I have something to lose. I don't know what to do anymore." Olga had then kissed him on the cheek from behind. He looked at himself in a mirror. His mood seemed to improve as he perked up slightly. "Words cannot describe how glad I am this war lead me to you Olga," Egorov said.

"I feel the same way Minoslav," said Olga. "When I first ran into you I was scared. You were the only person I trusted. You cared and looked out for me when no one else did. When this war ends I'm leaving with you."